Cars Blog

More new cars coming with Wi-Fi

Chevrolet will first offer 4G LTE in the 2015 models of the Corvette, Impala, Malibu and Volt.

Internet connectivity and Wi-Fi hot spots in new cars are becoming more common, and both Chevrolet and Audi announced the availability of AT&T's speedy 4G LTE network at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Audi will offer 4G LTE in its 2015 Audi A3 first, with plans to add the capability in all its car models in the future. It also will offer a Mobile Share data plan option to AT&T wireless customers who want to add their car to an existing smartphone or tablet data plan. The 4G LTE service will improve Audi's navigation system with faster Google Earth and Google Street View features. It also will allow connectivity of up to eight devices as an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hot spot.

Chevrolet will first offer 4G LTE in the 2015 models of the Corvette, Impala, Malibu and Volt as an option. Later, it will be available in the Chevrolet Equinox, Silverado, Silverado HD, Spark and Spark EV, with availability in additional models later this year. As with Audi, Chevrolet's 4G LTE service will allow the car to act as a mobile hub, accommodating multiple electronic devices with a more consistent and powerful Wi-Fi connection than a smartphone. Current AT&T customers will be able to add the service to existing plans, though it will also be available as a stand-alone option.

Are you interested in cars with a Wi-Fi hot spot?

Tara Baukus Mello writes the cars blog as well as the weekly Driving for Dollars column, providing both practical financial advice for consumers as well as insight into the latest developments in the automotive world. Follow her on Facebook here or on Twitter @SheDrives.

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1 Comment

len

January 16, 2014 at 1:50 pm

WI-Fi coming to many 2015 vehicles?
And using Wi-Fi while driving offers just what benefit?

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